Agriculture

European Union energy chiefs failed today to limit the quantities of 'food based' biofuels allowed in Europe in a key debate in Brussels. The outcome means that plans to prevent biofuels competing with food will be further delayed, pushing more people into hunger and leading to further deforestation.

This Friday (November 29) a crucial meeting will take place in Brussels which is likely to determine the fate of the EU's controversial biofuels policy.

The meeting between all EU ambassadors will aim to reach an agreement on how to reform Europe's failing biofuels policy, which Europe's energy ministers will then 'rubber stamp' when they vote on December 12.

The burning of biofuels in Europe will continue to increase and cause food price hikes and climate emissions after the European Parliament today failed to vote for tougher restrictions on their use.

In a vote in Strasbourg on legislation to limit the quantities of 'food based' biofuels in renewable energy transport targets MEPs voted to introduce a limit on biofuels that compete with food for land and water at 6% of transport energy – representing an increase from the current level of 4.5%.

Europe’s drivers are being forced to fill their tanks with increasing amounts of rainforest-destroying palm oil, with reliance on the controversial biofuel set to rise even further, new figures released today show. According to the data, palm oil use has increased much more than predicted and is now at 20% of the biodiesel mix.

The madness of food being used to fill cars as biofuels, rather than being used to feed people, was illustrated by campaigners in Brussels today who attempted to fit as many people as possible – dressed in giant corn on the cob costumes! – inside a Mini.

Flanked by large banners demanding 'No food for fuel' the action took place against the backdrop of the European Parliament one week ahead of a decisive vote by MEPs on reform of the EU's controversial biofuels policy.

Elias Diaz Peña, Goldman Environmental prize winner from Friends of the Earth Paraguay, is touring Europe to discuss the devastating impact of soy production across South America. As a leading importer of soy, Europe is responsible for the expansion of soy production in South America and its impacts on biodiversity and local communities across the continent.